1. Before you cut anything measure it. Then, if you’re like me, measure it again because it will probably be wrong. Then, throughout the cutting process,
2. If you’ve made your quilt top out of good quality fabric, don’t try and save money by buying cheap backing fabric. I’ve always regretted it and I never do it anymore. I want my quilts to last and the difference in fabrics is really noticeable.
3. If your sewing machine is acting up try changing the needle. It’s the quilting equivalent of turning your laptop off and back on again.
4. If you don’t already have one, invest in a rotary cutter and some quilting rulers from Creative Grids.
5. Keep it simple and don’t worry. It’ll always turn out ok and your friends will always be impressed. Don’t make more work for yourself, it’ll spoil the enjoyment.
6. Keep a bin handy for all the tiny scraps of fabric and loose threads. They get everywhere and drive Mr Welch mad.
7. If you’re using an normal-sized sewing machine you’ll need to use a lightweight cotton batting (2oz or less) if you have any hope of getting anything bigger than a twin size through it. And bicycle clips. Get some.
8. Watching rom-coms and quilting is one of the best activity pairings in the world.
9. You can use any colour cotton to sew your patches together, you’ll never really ever see it. Just make sure the thread you use for quilting is the correct colour. Recently I’ve been using completely contrasting thread. I think it looks really cool.
10. Cats are nice.
That is all. Happy New Year.
